Understanding coastal morphodynamics using stability methods

Stability methods, as they are applied in describing the initiation, growth and long term evolution of morphological features, are discussed. In particular, their use in describing large-scale, long-term rhythmic morphological features is highlighted. The analysis of such models indicates that many rhythmic bottom features arise from an inherent instability of a morphodynamical system, rather than being forced by external conditions. A synopsis of their theoretical basis is given, and the assumptions commonly pertaining to their use are described. These models, which can be applied more efficiently than many other process-oriented models, are categorized, and the kind of information that they can provide is also described. Finally, their relation to other areas and techniques of long-term, aggregated scale morphodynamics is discussed, and their usefulness to and applicability by the practitioner is summarized.